Saturday, June 10, 2006

Who really is handicapped?

I finally got some time to re-type the rather poor quality list of someone's rather cynical "handicapping" of priests who might be potential auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

There are a number of misspellings and gramatical mistakes that I have left as is.

I will wait to offer much commentary on this. All you need to do is read the list to see get an idea about what type of bishop the writer is looking for, and what type of potential leader he is most critical of. By reading who is treated kindly, and those treated harshly, you can judge for yourselves who might really be the best for the Catholics of Milwaukee.

I don't yet know who actually wrote the list, I am sure that they are proud of themselves. There are a couple parish names on the fax list, but I will save those for later comment. If anyone has any clues about the author, please let me know.

Each listing give the priest's name, the predicted odds, and the author's appraisal and comment. Not all of make sense, but that should not be a surprise.

Well, without any more delay...

HANDICAPPERS VIEW OF AUXILIARY BISHOP RACE – May 2006

David Malloy – 5-1, the reasonable brother, will make it, for other reasons – Vatican service, at a different place. Is a Milwaukee priest BUT never really served here.

Jeffrey Haines – 10-1, well liked by Priests, good Pastor, hard worker, good family background. Humble, no post graduate work. Excellent moderator of the Priest Council.

Tom Brundage – 90-1, Only hope now is Alaska. Lost tribunal struggle with Hartman. Will have to settle for his growing real estate kingdom. Didn’t make it at the Catholic Herald.

Joe Hornacek – 100-1, Too many hangovers from his stern regime. He had the inside in the lasts regime, and proved he didn’t have the stuff. His time and mentor are in the past.

Xavier Bustos – 110-1, Although young, he seems to have it all. A Roman trained Hispanic intellectual. Very intelligent. Time is on his side, but he can afford to wait.

Brian Massingale – 120-1, will need strong outside support, can fit a specific need but probably not in Milwaukee. Some questions linger about his Seminary teaching career.

Len Vladenderen – 130-1, He bet heavily on the wrong horse, and now must live with it. His growing bank account and Las Vegas connections will sustain him, too much on the go.

James Connell – 140-1, Rome, Canon law background plus chancery experience count but previous life experiences are against him. Is a decent guy. Recruited by Cousins.

Ross Schecterle – 150-1, had the episcopacy in mind from the beginning. Must play his Roman cards correctly. Is impatient for higher things. Needs to cultivate patrons.

Joe Juknialis – 160-1, Hasn’t dazzled many people. Is a bit too sure about his own prowess and diocesan politics. Colleagues wonder if he is a successful preacher? Can be caustic.

Brian Mason – 170-1, Still very untested. His present tenure will be determinative. How and if he treats priests with maturity and dignity will be watched.

Jerry Herda – 180-1, Is in a learning position. Priests generally like him. Should have some post graduate scholastic credentials. Must be patient to get them. A decent man.

Steve Avella – 190-1, Always wants more, regarded as an opportunist as his record demonstrates. Is talented, but ambitious. Fellow Dolan historian. Critical of priests.

Dan Pakenham – 200-1, was in the cat bird seat but blew it big time with Diocesan priests and Seminary alumni. Has significant problems and more in his parish now. No, no, no!

Dark Horse Pastor candidates – 225-1. There are many who could be considered. They generally lack scholarship credentials. Here are a few but there are many others as well.A. Ralph Gross – Physical condition has dimmed his diminished chances.B. Art Heinze – once Sem prof, didn’t cope well with close friend Jarumbo’s distress.C. Tony Zimmer – eager and personable, but sings off key in different ways.D. Ken Knippel – is seasoned. Looks good. Enjoys comfortable lifestyle too much.E. Bill Kohler – had his season of glory, short on credentials. Just too short.F. Vic Capriolo – Outshone Brundage in Alaska. Well liked. Great in Fondy.G. Alan Jurkus – Pinning for years. Despite trying it’s beyond his Cudahy depth.H. Tom DeVries – Riding high now but Dutch Reformed background eliminates him.I. Gene Pocernich – Had big ideas once. Overestimates his own abilities grossly.J. John Hemsing – midnight DUI is on the record. Should stay home more.K. Carl Last – his name tells it all. And there are other things in the cupboard.L. Ken Metz – unfortunately wouldn’t even get Kenosha votes. Ego problems.M. Mike Newman – time is slipping away from him. A hint of scrupulosity too.N. John Aiello – unlike the emporer he has too many clothes. People like him.O. Ken Omernick – Had his chances. Didn’t get Roman degree. O’Laughlin mess.P. Dave Reith – Smooth, capable, offended some in priest council. Officious.Q. Chuck Schramm – Lost out early in his career, but is too blunt, too cautious.R. Bill Stanfield – too much running around in his career. Stability – a question?S. Don Thimm – capable, hard worker, previous chancery work left some wounds.T. Laurin Wenig – had a free ride for years in his terms. Not exactly a team worker.U. Tim O’Brien – Ultra political person. The Democrats failed him greatly.V. Dick Aiken – likes his own brand of luxury, tends to take it super easy.W. Len Barbian – could have done it years ago, and would have liked it. Too late.

11 Comments:

Question from a poorly catechised now-college-student (yes, even NOWADAYS there are still certain parishes on the far south-side of Milwaukee that have a two hour social session for Confirmation, with no real catechesis (a word i picked up in my online reading...) or instruction of the faith occuring (sp?):

What is the purpose of an Aux. Bishop? Does he ever get promoted to Bishop in another diocese or what?

Good day, Gentlemen. Gotta ask and I hope you can clarify: Where are SE WI's Catholic pro-lifers and Why don't the vast majority of our priests & deacons speak about respect for all human life being the foundation that's neccesary to build a culture capable of solving any human concerns issue?

Only 11 days 'til the most promissing respect life effort in history...40 DAYS for LIFE! Have your churches signed up as a parish to cover a day at the vigil site? Most haven't heard about it even though Archbishop Dolan sent an invitation to all churches to post in bulletins asking parishioners to get involved.

40 Days of prayer, fasiting & vigil(960 consecutive hrs) @ ea of WI's 5 abortion facilities joining in prayer with 33 other states & 90 cities - Simultaneously - praying for mercy, healing, and for all human beings to be treated with compassion, dignity, and worth from the very moment the Creator of Life breathes one into being.

You appear to be devout men. Will you help me spread the word and mobilize the Body of Christ to save lives and offer hope to those in need?

Time for those who profess the power of prayer & sanctity of life to get actively involved in this peaceful, prayerful, non-confrontational & non-graphic prayer vigil for life: www.40daysforlifewi.com What do you say? lmk

I was in the Class of 1974 of St. Francis Seminary, but I left in 1970 after 8 years of a 12-year program. I knew many of the people on this list, but I have seen very few of them since 1970. I have a far more positive opinion of these people than is stated in the assessment - every one I knew on that list, was a good friend. Still, the list is very interesting to me. I look at what's said and I think, "I can see how somebody could think that about him." But as somebody who knew and liked that person for eight years, I think, "But if only they understood this and that, they'd know that he's really a good person."We Catholics need to realize that our priests are human beings. They're flawed, as we all are, but in their essence they are remarkable creations of God - and with the grace of God, they are capable of doing wonderful things.I knew many of these people, and I knew how wonderful they were. Please don't think ill of them.-Joe Offer-